reedx032
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Time capsule losing internet connectivity (only with some clients)

I recently upgraded my old 802.11g base station to a new Time Capsule 802.11ac.  Quite frequently (2-3x daily) I lose connection to the internet.  The light on the Time Capsule is still green, but I have no connection to the internet from any of my devices (2 iPhone 4s, MacBook Air, and MacBook).   Airport Utility does show that I'm disconnected from the internet.  I can restore connectivity either by restarting the 2100 Cisco Cable modem or restarting the Time Capsule.  So it seems the communication between them is getting messed up somehow. 

     The thing that's confusing about this is that I also have two Roku 2 units in the house connected to the same network and I can still connect to the internet with either of these devices even though all the Apple devices cannot.  Has anyone else seen anything like this?  Suggestions?

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 14, 2013 12:26 PM

by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer
LaPastenague LaPastenague
Level 9 (52,335 points)
Wireless
A:

The apple devices are set up to Configure IPv6 Automatically, I guess this was the default.

 

 

Set to local link.. this is maybe going to help .. and maybe do nothing.

 

See http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4597

 

I did try changing to manual 5GHz name and channels, but upon trying to reset the station to apply changes, it froze up and I actually had to unplug it to get connected again.

 

Changing wireless via wireless is akin to sawing off the branch you are sitting on.. do all setup over ethernet.

 

I guess I'll try a hard factory reset.  Any idea what happens to my time machine backups in that case?

 

Absolutely nothing will happen to your backups.. they are unaffected by resets of any type.. the only way to delete files is deliberately via finder or using airport utility to erase. Nothing else works.. so nothing to worry about.

Posted on Sep 14, 2013 3:15 PM

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reedx032

Q: Time capsule losing internet connectivity (only with some clients)

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  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 14, 2013 2:53 PM in response to reedx032
    Level 9 (52,335 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 14, 2013 2:53 PM in response to reedx032

    Are the Roku units on ethernet?

     

    Can you plug a computer into the TC by ethernet.. does it have internet connection?

     

    Do you have ipv6 turned on to local link for the wireless devices? Probably irrelevant but just asking.

     

    You are not alone.. lots of people are having issues with wireless in the new AC units..

     

    My recommendation is to try again with clean setup.

     

    Setup wireless with short names, no spaces and pure alphanumeric. Give a different name to 5ghz.

     

    Only wpa2 personal security is up to the task .. do not use lesser values.

     

    Use password of 10-20 characters pure alphanumeric.

     

    Manually set the wireless channels.. try 1, 6, 11 for 2.4ghz and try around 40 and around 150 for 5ghz.. actual channel there is not a concern.. but one high and one low.

  • by reedx032,

    reedx032 reedx032 Sep 14, 2013 3:08 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2013 3:08 PM in response to LaPastenague

    The Roku units are wireless also.  The only thing on ethernet is my HP printer.

     

    The apple devices are set up to Configure IPv6 Automatically, I guess this was the default.

     

    I will try a fresh setup.  I do not have a separate 5 GHz name, nor are my channels set manually.

     

    Also note that though my Apple devices have lost internet connectivity, they can still connect to the LAN.

     

    I did try changing to manual 5GHz name and channels, but upon trying to reset the station to apply changes, it froze up and I actually had to unplug it to get connected again.  I guess I'll try a hard factory reset.  Any idea what happens to my time machine backups in that case?

  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 14, 2013 3:15 PM in response to reedx032
    Level 9 (52,335 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 14, 2013 3:15 PM in response to reedx032

    The apple devices are set up to Configure IPv6 Automatically, I guess this was the default.

     

     

    Set to local link.. this is maybe going to help .. and maybe do nothing.

     

    See http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4597

     

    I did try changing to manual 5GHz name and channels, but upon trying to reset the station to apply changes, it froze up and I actually had to unplug it to get connected again.

     

    Changing wireless via wireless is akin to sawing off the branch you are sitting on.. do all setup over ethernet.

     

    I guess I'll try a hard factory reset.  Any idea what happens to my time machine backups in that case?

     

    Absolutely nothing will happen to your backups.. they are unaffected by resets of any type.. the only way to delete files is deliberately via finder or using airport utility to erase. Nothing else works.. so nothing to worry about.

  • by reedx032,

    reedx032 reedx032 Sep 14, 2013 3:54 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2013 3:54 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks for the tips. I guess I'll have to get a USB->ethernet for my MacBook Air, since now we only have one device left with built in ethernet.  I'll try with my Wife's MacBook at bit later this weekend.

     

    You'd think that the Airport Utility might grey out options that are unwise to try whilst connected via Wifi.

  • by reedx032,

    reedx032 reedx032 Sep 21, 2013 10:33 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 21, 2013 10:33 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Well, setting to Local Link seemed to be the key.  After doing that, I haven't lost internet connectivity in nearly a week.  </knocks on wood>  Thanks!